#016: Breaking Good: How psychedelics can be used for psychotherapy - Dr Stephen Bright

Dr Stephen Bright (@stephenjbright) is a clinically-trained psychologist with an immense amount of knowledge in the practices and application of psychedelics. Having dealt with generalised anxiety disorder for over 5 years, I’m intrigued by the significance that psychedelic medicine could play in the treatment of mental disorders. For anyone who’s ever had issues with anxiety, PTSD or other mental health conditions, this is a fascinating discussion that could open your mind up to a new area of study. This is a jam-packed episode, full of interesting areas including:

Discovering psychedelics for clinical treatment

The barriers of legislation to research

Finding windows of opportunity: Epilepsy & PTSD

Psilocybin & MDMA as psychotherapy

Psilocybin for depression & the default mode network

Harm reduction principles

Translating the perceived spiritual experience

Neurochemically - what is happening?

Microdosing psychedelics for creative minds

The Stoned Ape theory

If he had to rewrite drug policy in Australia

Enjoy the episode,Jordan & Lauren

Show notes

Bio and background {04:15}

On discovering psychedelics for clinical treatment {05:15}

On the barriers of legislation to research {11:30}

Finding windows of opportunity: Epilepsy & PTSD {23:30}

Psilocybin and MDMA as psychotherapy {24:50}

Where to go from here {32:30}

The scheduling of drugs in Australia {34:30}

The various effects of drugs from cannabis to MDMA {36:30}

Psilocybin for depression & the default mode network {40:53}

Harm reduction principles {45:30}

Translating the perceived spiritual experience {48:30}

Neurochemically - what is happening? {52:55}

Microdosing psychedelics for creative minds {55:48}

Different waves of psychedelic use {58:20}

The Stoned Ape theory {01:01:00}

If he had to rewrite drug policy in Australia {01:03:30}

Breakthroughs in managing addiction {01:08:25}

Good resources and leaders in the area of research {01:10:15}

Daily rituals or habits and ways to destress {01:17:19}

Meditation and mindfulness {01:22:48}

If he had to do a TED talk on something other than drugs, what would it be? {01:23:20}

Surfing, snowboarding, flowriding and a major accident {01:24:03}

Best purchase or experience under $200 recently {01:28:59}

A book he’d gift someone {01:29:58}

Something he’s flipped his perception on recently {01:31:01}

Would he give his 20 year old self any lessons (or vice versa)? {01:33:03}

Lessons learnt from his parents {01:34:15}

Something he’s proud of {01:35:00}

If he could have a billboard anywhere in Aus, where, & what would it say? {01:35:53}